Online Only: Candidate Statement, Lucia M. Casey, town moderator

Wednesday

Apr 30, 2014 at 12:01 AM

I, Lucia M. Casey, am a candidate for the office of town moderator. I live at 607 North St. with my husband Richard. I was formerly a teacher and principal in the Somerset School system. I have a bachelor of science degree in education, a masters in educational administration, a masters in public administration and I am all but dissertation in training and development focusing on the public sector.

I, Lucia M. Casey, am a candidate for the office of town moderator. I live at 607 North St. with my husband Richard. I was formerly a teacher and principal in the Somerset School system. I have a bachelor of science degree in education, a masters in educational administration, a masters in public administration and I am all but dissertation in training and development focusing on the public sector.

I have been the town moderator for a total of 21 years beginning in 1981-1990 and then again for the last 12 years beginning in 2002.

I chose to seek the office of moderator very early in my political career, not an office sought by many females at the time, but one that I was drawn to because of the importance of Town Meeting to the functioning of the town.

Town Meeting Time, the bible of most moderators, refers to Town Meeting as the basic unit of local government in a New England town. It further states that "Town Meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people's reach€¦"

It is in the Town Meeting forum that we as voting residents of the town have the opportunity to voice our concerns relative to matters brought before us. Town Meeting is our opportunity to decide what actions will be taken or how our money in the form of property tax will be spent.

How to participate at Town Meeting is a learned process most often self taught by participating through attendance and if so inclined by speaking. I attended Town Meeting from the time that I could register to vote. I observed, listened and watched what transpired before I decided to seek the office.

It is the moderator's responsibility is to rule on procedural issues not on the legality of motions. There are nuances at every meeting which is why the position of moderator appeals to me. I don't know everything, but I do as much research as possible before Town Meeting. I do not take this position lightly; I work hard to serve Somerset to the best of my ability.

In my service to Somerset as the town moderator, I have always been mindful of the residents after all I have resided here for the past 63 years. I personally may not agree with the majority, but I will always respect their vote.

It is my desire that Somerset look at what it has and what its' future can be. Somerset has always been a community that worked together, individuals may not always see eye to eye, but they have always stepped up to the plate to do their part.

I ask that you vote for Lucia M. Casey for town moderator, you can be assured that I will always work hard and do my best for the Town of Somerset.

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